Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsVitamin C and GoutHow to Increase Vitamin CDietPreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Vitamin C and Gout
How to Increase Vitamin C
Diet
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
This article explores the research on what is known about vitamin C and gout.
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Vitamin Cis a powerful antioxidant essential for collagen production, iron absorption, and wound healing. Over the years, vitamin C has been a cure-all for numerous ailments.
Several studies have suggested that vitamin C may reduceuric acidin the blood andprotect against gout. Uric acid is a waste product created when the body breaks down chemicals called purines. Too much uric acid in the blood, also known ashyperuricemia, can lead to the formation ofuric acid crystals, which causes gout.
One study found the more vitamin C men took, the less likely they were to develop gout. Researchers studied 46,994 men for 20 years. At the end of the study, 1,317 developed gout. Participants who took more than 1,500 milligrams of vitamin C per day had a 45% lower risk of developing gout than those who consumed less than 250 milligrams per day.
In another study, researchers found a strong link between vitamin C supplementation and a decrease in serum uric acid levels. However, the review concluded that there is not enough evidence at this time to regularly recommend vitamin C for the prevention or treatment of gout.
The recommended dietary allowance for vitamin C for adults over 19 is 90 milligrams for men and 75 milligrams for women. Individuals who smoke or who are pregnant or breastfeeding need slightly more.
Most people who eat a healthy diet rich in produce can meet their daily vitamin C needs. For example, one navel orange delivers 82.7 milligrams of vitamin C, which meets a female’s daily requirements.
Alternatively, you can also take a high-qualityvitamin C supplementif you find it difficult to meet your vitamin C needs through diet alone.
Dietary Sources of Vitamin CThe best dietary sources of vitamin C include:Citrus fruits (oranges, lemon, grapefruit, kiwi fruit)Strawberries, raspberriesBell peppers, cauliflowerCantaloupe, papaya, pineapple, watermelonBroccoli, brussels sprouts, leafy greensTomatoes and tomato juice
Dietary Sources of Vitamin C
The best dietary sources of vitamin C include:Citrus fruits (oranges, lemon, grapefruit, kiwi fruit)Strawberries, raspberriesBell peppers, cauliflowerCantaloupe, papaya, pineapple, watermelonBroccoli, brussels sprouts, leafy greensTomatoes and tomato juice
The best dietary sources of vitamin C include:
Diet and Gout
People with gout should make changes to your diet to help reduce uric acid levels and gout flares.Dietary modificationsfor gout include avoiding or limiting:
The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan can help reduce blood pressure and uric acid levels. The DASH diet focuses on the following:
Preventing Gout
Research is still ongoing to determine what causes gout. However, certain factors may play a role in the development of gout, including:
Although some of these risk factors are non-modifiable, others related to diet and lifestyle can be changed to reduce your risk of gout.
Researchers suggest eating a well-balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, exercising, stopping smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight to prevent gout.
Summary
Vitamin C is essential for the many functions of the body. Current research suggests that a diet rich in vitamin C can potentially prevent gout. However, additional studies are needed before it can be routinely recommended.
A Word From Verywell
If you have a family history of gout, it’s understandable to want to do everything in your power to prevent it. While unmodifiable factors like genetics and gender play a role in developing the condition, adopting and maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle is the best way to reduce your risk.
Available research shows that 500 milligrams of vitamin C per day may be beneficial for the prevention of gout.
Adults should not consume more than 2,000 milligrams of vitamin C. Consuming too much vitamin C can lead to nausea, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.Additionally, people withhemochromatosis, a condition in which too much iron builds up in the body, should not take vitamin C supplements.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Choi HK, Gao X, Curhan G.Vitamin C intake and the risk of gout in men: A prospective study.Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(5):502-507. doi:10.1001/archinternmed.2008.606Brzezińska O, Styrzyński F, Makowska J, Walczak K.Role of vitamin c in prophylaxis and treatment of gout—a literature review. Nutrients. 2021;13(2):701. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390%2Fnu13020701National Institutes of Health.Office of dietary supplements - vitamin c.USDA.Navel orange.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Gout: Diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.DASH eating plan.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Gout.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Choi HK, Gao X, Curhan G.Vitamin C intake and the risk of gout in men: A prospective study.Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(5):502-507. doi:10.1001/archinternmed.2008.606Brzezińska O, Styrzyński F, Makowska J, Walczak K.Role of vitamin c in prophylaxis and treatment of gout—a literature review. Nutrients. 2021;13(2):701. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390%2Fnu13020701National Institutes of Health.Office of dietary supplements - vitamin c.USDA.Navel orange.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Gout: Diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.DASH eating plan.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Gout.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Choi HK, Gao X, Curhan G.Vitamin C intake and the risk of gout in men: A prospective study.Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(5):502-507. doi:10.1001/archinternmed.2008.606Brzezińska O, Styrzyński F, Makowska J, Walczak K.Role of vitamin c in prophylaxis and treatment of gout—a literature review. Nutrients. 2021;13(2):701. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390%2Fnu13020701National Institutes of Health.Office of dietary supplements - vitamin c.USDA.Navel orange.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Gout: Diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.DASH eating plan.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Gout.
Choi HK, Gao X, Curhan G.Vitamin C intake and the risk of gout in men: A prospective study.Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(5):502-507. doi:10.1001/archinternmed.2008.606
Brzezińska O, Styrzyński F, Makowska J, Walczak K.Role of vitamin c in prophylaxis and treatment of gout—a literature review. Nutrients. 2021;13(2):701. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390%2Fnu13020701
National Institutes of Health.Office of dietary supplements - vitamin c.
USDA.Navel orange.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Gout: Diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.DASH eating plan.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Gout.
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